Vela Mae Downie

Vela Mae Downie was born March 1, 1951, was born in Cuthbert, Georgia to Shelley Dee & Adell Downie.  Vela went home to be with God on September 12, 2020.

At an early age she joined St Peter Missionary Baptist Church.  She attended school in Randolph County and finished school at Clio High School.

After high school she worked for Van Heusen in Clayton, Alabama.  Ultimately, she left the work force and joined the Army on April 21, 1976. She trained in MOS 74D-Computer Machine Operator and MOS 74F –Programmer Analyst.  She received several Awards: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal 5 Awards, NCO Professional Development Ribbon 2 Awards, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon with 2 Awards. She maintained the sharpshooter badge for the M-16 Rifle all of her military career.  Her military education includes the following: Programmer Analysis Course for seven weeks, Non Commissioned Officer Academy for four weeks, Primary Leadership Development Course for four weeks, Instructor Training Course for three weeks, German Language Course for one week, Computer Controller / Operator for one week, and Basic Non Commissioned Course Officer Course for four weeks. After serving for seventeen years with the United States Army, she was Medically Discharged on August 9, 1993.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father: Shelley Dee and Adell Downie; two sisters: Mercie Lee Downie Helms and Betty Jean Downie; three brothers: Arthur Dean Downie, Eddie Dean Downie, and KC Downie.

She will always be cherished in the memories of her; two loving and devoted children: Taurus Downie and Andrea Downie; three grandsons: Ka’Myrion Markis Downie, Camron Jeremiah Williams, and Derrick Nathaniel Downie; one granddaughter: Tiffany Chamere Downie; one sister: Bennie Nell Downie Bennett; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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